New York Public Library WON'T cancel Dr. Seuss and says it will keep controversial books on its shelves after six titles were pulled from publication over 'racist imagery'

  The New York Public Library will keep six Dr. Seuss books on its shelves despite a decision to stop publishing them due to their racist im...

 The New York Public Library will keep six Dr. Seuss books on its shelves despite a decision to stop publishing them due to their racist imagery.

A spokeswoman for the historic library said it will keep the controversial titles in circulation as it does not censor books and will continue to lend them out until their condition deteriorates.

'As with all public libraries the New York Public Library does not censor books,' Angela Montefinise said.

'In this case, the six titles in question are being pulled out of print by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, so the very few copies we have of these titles will continue to circulate until the are no longer in acceptable condition,

'In the meantime, librarians, who care deeply about serving their communities and ensuring accurate and diverse representation in our collections - especially children's books - will certainly strongly consider this information when planning storytimes, displays, and recommendations,' she said, adding that the books are also part of the library's historical research collection.

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The New York Public Library will keep six Dr. Seuss books on its shelves despite a decision to stop publishing them due to racist imagery. A spokeswoman for the historic library said it will keep the controversial titles in circulation as it does not censor books and will continue to lend them out until their condition deteriorates [Stock photo]

The New York Post reported that a spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library said the books also remain in circulation there.

At the Queens Public Library, officials said they were deciding whether to move the books to the reference section but added that they 'stand firmly against censorship.'

On Tuesday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the company that preserves and protects the author's legacy, said it would no longer print six of his works over racist and insensitive imagery.

The six books affected are: 'And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street', 'If I Ran the Zoo', 'McElligot's Pool', 'On Beyond Zebra!', 'Scrambled Eggs Super!', and 'The Cat's Quizzer'.  

News of the decision came just one day after President Biden omitted Dr. Seuss from Read Across America Day, which is held annually on the children's author's birthday on March 2.

Explaining the decision to stop the publication of the six books, the company said: 'These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.'

These six Dr. Seuss books will no longer be published because of racist and insensitive imagery, according to the company that preserves and protects the author's legacy

In 'And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,' an Asian person is portrayed wearing a conical hat, holding chopsticks, and eating from a bowl. Earlier editions of the book showed the same character with yellow skin and a long ponytail. 

'If I Ran the Zoo' includes a drawing of two bare-footed African men wearing what appear to be grass skirts with their hair tied above their heads. 

'Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalog represents and supports all communities and families,' the company said.

The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company said. 

'Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles.'  

Random House Children Books, Dr. Seuss' publisher, issued a brief statement on Tuesday: 'We respect the decision of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the work of the panel that reviewed this content last year, and their recommendation.' 

As adored as Dr. Seuss is by millions around the world for the positive values in many of his works, including environmentalism and tolerance, there has been increasing criticism in recent years over the way black people, Asians and others are drawn in some of his most beloved children's books, as well as in his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations. 

School districts across the country have also moved away from Dr. Seuss, prompting Loudoun County, Virginia, schools just outside Washington, D.C., to douse rumors last month that they were banning the books entirely.

'Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,' the school district said in a statement.

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In 'And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,' an Asian person is portrayed wearing a conical hat, holding chopsticks, and eating from a bowl. Earlier editions of the book (right) showed the same character with yellow skin and a long ponytail

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'If I Ran the Zoo', which was published in 1950, includes a drawing of two bare-footed African men wearing what appear to be grass skirts with their hair tied above their heads 

In 2017, a school librarian in Cambridge, Massachusetts, criticized a gift of 10 Seuss books from first lady Melania Trump, saying many of his works were 'steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.'

In 2018, a Dr. Seuss museum in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, removed a mural that included an Asian stereotype.

'The Cat in the Hat,' one of Seuss' most popular books, has received criticism, too, but will continue to be published for now.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is 'committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio.' 

Some fans were upset by the decision to stop publishing the six books, saying it constituted 'cancel culture'.

Almost immediately after the announcement on Tuesday, the prices of those books surged hundreds of dollars on eBay as people placed dozens of bids for new and vintage copies.

A vintage copy of 'If I Ran the Zoo' was priced at $510 after receiving 54 bids, while a copy of 'Scrambled Eggs Super!' was at $565 after 58 bids. 

A copy of 'The Cat's Quizzer', which the seller marketed as brand new, was going for $630 after receiving 48 bids.  

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Books by Dr. Seuss (pictured), whose real name was Theodore Seuss Geisel, have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries [File photo]

Seuss's step-daughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, said on Tuesday that the author and illustrator didn't have 'a racist bone' in his body but that pulling the titles was the right decision.

'There wasn't a racist bone in that man's body - he was so acutely aware of the world around him and cared so much,' she told the New York Post, adding that she was told of the decision to pull the books a day earlier. 

'I think in this day and age it's a wise decision,' she said. 'I think this is a world that right now is in pain, and we've all got to be very gentle and thoughtful and kind with each other.

'We're taking that into account and being thoughtful. We don't want to upset anybody.'

She said she's hopeful the books can one day go back into print.   

Books by Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodore Seuss Geisel, have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries. 

Seuss died in 1991 but remains popular, earning an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. 

Forbes listed him No. 2 on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020, behind only the late pop star Michael Jackson.